The Perpetual NBA Thread

**Rediesel** · July 7th, 2005 04:22 PM

From INSIDEHOOPS.COM

"San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry has agreed to a three-year deal with the NBA champions, according to reports. Horry's agent, Robert Barr, told Houston television station KRIV and the San Antonio Express-News on Tuesday that the three-year deal would allow the Spurs the right to buy Horry out of the third year. No contract can be signed before July 22 when the free agent signing period begins." AP/WOAI

"Two NBA sources told me over the weekend that the Spurs are more interested in spending their five million dollar exception on Shareef Abdur Rahim. Right now the Nets and Heat are considered the frontrunners to land his services. They will probably offer him more money. But the word is Rahim wants to win. He's never been with a team that finished over .500 in his entire 9-year career, and he's still only 28 years old. Winning equals playing for the Spurs." WOAI

Wooohooo, in case Abdur Rahim signs with the Spurs, San Antonio can start to make plans for another parade next year.

**kimpOy** · July 9th, 2005 09:15 AM

reports: Larry Hughes (nba steals leader) is leaving the washington wizards (who offered 12M a season) and teaming up with Teen Sensation Lebron James...

since the cavs has lost out of redd and ray allen, now they got a defensive 2 guard to take some load of LBJ23, cavs now must concentrate on signing Zman...

**Rediesel** · July 9th, 2005 12:09 PM

re: cavs

If I were the GM I would try to get Ed Curry, then sign and trade the Z man. w/ the spare cash get a physical PF, who'll give the hard picks that LBJ and Larry Hughes can use to break down the inside.

Kung may spare cash, give Korver an offer sheet so merong sharp shooter from 3 na pwedeng kickout option.

**kimpOy** · July 9th, 2005 01:27 PM

problem with Ed Curry is his heart condition...medyo gamble pa siya ngayon...that's why wala pa siyang major offer...

the cavs have 29M to spend for free agents assuming nasa 10M a year si Hughes then meron pa silang 19 more...Korver is not open for offer sheet dahil nasa gitna pa siya ng rookie contract niya sa sixers and the sixers will not give him up, imagine 3 pt gunner for a bargain price

**mikaztro** · July 9th, 2005 02:21 PM

Preventive maintenance
By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports
July 8, 2005

Larry Hughes may not have been the Cleveland Cavaliers' first choice of the free-agent shooting guards, but his decision to join the Cavs was nonetheless a dramatic move for the team.

The former Washington Wizards star will pair with LeBron James to give Cleveland a potent wing combination – one that will be quick, strong and potentially very good defensively. General manager Danny Ferry needed to make something happen – not only to improve his team but also to prove to James that Cavaliers management is serious about molding a championship contender.

James is eligible for a maximum contract extension next summer, and the Cavaliers' entire future depends on him signing it. The addition of Hughes gives Ferry and owner Dan Gilbert credibility in James' eyes.

It is no secret that Ferry wanted Ray Allen or Michael Redd, given the Cavaliers' desperate need for outside shooting. But with each player staying put and re-signing with his current respective team, Hughes was the next move.

Joe Johnson was also in Ferry's sights, but with the Phoenix Suns most likely matching any offer to the restricted free agent, Hughes made more sense. Ferry was able to swoop in, make a big offer and steal Hughes from under the Wizards. Courting Johnson would have taken up valuable time, as the Suns would have had until at least the end of July to respond to any offer. Ferry very easily could have ended up with nothing.

The Hughes acquisition doesn't solve the Cavaliers' shooting woes, but it does make them a very formidable perimeter team, which is a style that new coach Mike Brown prefers. Brown is a defensive-minded coach and he'll have Eric Snow to man the point and James and Hughes on the wings. Cleveland could become a ball-hawking, fast-breaking team with the ability to run with anyone.

Of course, the Cavs will need a center to anchor that defense. That's why Ferry is now likely to try to re-sign Zydrunas Ilgauskas. With $15 million left under the cap, that shouldn't be a problem. Ideally, Cleveland could get Ilgauskas at a starting point of $9 million to $10 million next season and use the remaining cap room to address other needs – shooting in particular.

Ferry is rumored to be interested in signing Lithuanian and former Maryland player Sarunas Jasikevicius, who would back up Snow and provide the Cavaliers with a gutsy, sweet-shooting guard. And don't forget last year's first-round pick, Luke Jackson, who was considered one of the best marksmen in the 2004 draft. Jackson was injured and missed most of last season, but he should be fine for next year.

The Cavaliers have much work left and, fortunately for Ferry, they have plenty of money to spend. Besides adding shooters, he'd like to add depth at every position. Getting Hughes was the first move, and it now allows Cleveland to move ahead with its plans.

Steve Kerr is Yahoo! Sports' NBA analyst. Send him a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

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Yes! May pag-asa na team ko this coming season! Yebah! Ang ganda siguro ng takbo ngayon ng Cleveland especially that Larry Hughes will man the wings. I'm sure it is a run and gun team.

GO LBJ AND THE CAVS!!!

**ILuvDetailing** · July 9th, 2005 03:08 PM

Hughes and James would be one of the most explosive backcourts in the NBA. Even better than the Hughes - Arenas backcourt because James' shares the ball more and is bigger and stronger than Arenas. They still need shooters and to resign Z, don't see any free agent center capable of replacing Z even Eddie Curry doesn't fit the bill, he had a good season but still conditioning and work ethic is a big question mark.

**kimpOy** · July 9th, 2005 03:55 PM

they need shooters and a backup big man who spells for drew gooden and Z, di ba they let tractor traylor go.

**empy** · July 10th, 2005 01:48 AM

Bobby Simmons jons the Bucks. looks like Milwaukee is looking to make a run..

**kimpOy** · July 11th, 2005 08:37 AM

hmmm everybodies joining the bucks bandwagon...sarap siguro ng beer dun he..he

TJ Ford
Redd
Simmons
JoeSmith
Gadzurich

seatlesonics in the making...